But for one Beijing-based "photoworm" (图虫) -- as photographers are dubbed in China -- it's far more beautiful than a bunch of big numbers.

Wang Wei (王嵬) is possibly the most passionate rail fan in China, having traveled 200,000 kilometers over seven years -- braving frostbite, dodgy time-tabling and months away from home -- to capture the network and its trains on film.

The 22-year-old University of West Beijing for Science and Economy graduate plans to write a book about his experiences.

During my trip to northeast China in October 2011, I walked more than 186 kilometers in 15 days, not including the mountains I climbed. Because it was the only way I could reach the places I wanted to go.

CNNGo: How long does a journey usually take?

Wang: I’m freelance at the moment so I have plenty of time. Depends where I go -- the journey usually takes from 10 days to a month.

The longest journey I took was a 56-day trip covering seven provinces -- Beijing, Gansu, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Shannxi, Yunnan and Guizhou during the summer of 2011.

CNNGo: Any difficulties during any of your missions?

Wang: To me, the difficulties are finding angles and waiting for trains.

I love the high angle, so I usually climb mountains to take photos.

Some of the mountains are steep and have dangerous wildlife like snakes. So I need to be very careful.

And at night, it’s even harder to climb.

The trains often change schedules according to the weather or other unpredictable reasons, so it’s quite normal for me to wait in one spot a whole day without seeing a train.

CNNGo: Is your family supportive?

Wang:Like many Chinese parents, they thought I should go to college and get a degree so at first they didn’t support me at all.

But when they heard my experiences of my journey and saw my photos were getting better and better, they were OK with it. My Dad sometimes will join me on photo shoots.

CNNGo: How do you fund your travels?

Wang:I shoot weddings, portraits and conferences to make money.

CNNGo: What do you want to do with your photos?

Wang: I’m planning to write a book about my experiences, illustrated with my photos. I hope to stage an exhibition later this year.